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The Riigikogu is the parliament of Estonia. Its 101 members are elected at general elections for a term of four years. The Riigikogu passes laws and resolutions, exercises parliamentary supervision and ratifies international agreements.

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Mihkelson: The continued presence of the armoured forces of the allies would help increase NATO deterrence

30.04.2015 / Press releases, National Defence Committee

Today the members of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu, the Parliament of Estonia observed the live-fire exercise of the US tank unit at the Central Training Area of the Estonian Defence Forces in Lääne-Virumaa, and inspected an Abrams M1A2 tank.

Chairman of the National Defence Committee Marko Mihkelson said that everything they saw left a deep impression because Abrams tanks are serious deterrence weapons. He added that the permanent presence of such an armoured force in Estonia would help increase NATO deterrence capability.

Member of the National Defence Committee Johannes Kert said after the shooting exercise that the members of the Estonian Defence forces have a unique possibility to train together with an US tank unit at their home training area. Kert added that it will significantly increase interoperability.

Abrams M1A2 has for a long time been the principal main battle tank of the US. It has been upgraded with modern information technology equipment.

At today’s exercise, the tank unit of the US ground forces that has been training in Estonia since March shot twenty rounds from 120mm calibre guns at targets located at 500 metre distance.

The tank unit that participated in the live-fire exercise belongs to the 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, and stays in Estonia for three months by way of rotation.